Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Le Mans 125cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 24 laps, 42:09.029
2. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, -0.076
3. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, -0.604
4. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, -0.865
5. Masao Azuma, Honda, -0.943
6. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, -1.618
7. Stefano Bianco, Aprilia, -3.769
8. Mika Kallio, Honda, -8.680
9. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, -8.915
10. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, -9.534

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



First Person/Opinion

By John Ulrich

Anthony Gobert was definitely helped by Alpina Air Modules when he crashed in turn three at Road Atlanta on Friday.

That’s the conclusion I reached after seeing videotape of the crash replayed frame-by-frame by Race Promotions Management’s Dan Murphy in the AMA trailer at Road Atlanta.

Although two sections of Air Modules pulled apart at the bottom after Gobert’s hit, and even though the sections then flew upwards, the Modules could be seen absorbing energy and deforming as Gobert contacted them.

It’s impossible to know, however, if Gobert would have fared even better if the Modules were properly secured at the bottom, as specified by the manufacturer, Alpina Safety Systems. Tying the Modules off at the bottom as well as at the top could have theoretically kept the Modules on the ground and together longer during the impact sequence.

The Alpina Modules feature tie-off points on both the top and bottom of the back side, at each end. The crew assigned to tie off the Modules after they had been inflated and positioned were not told the Modules had tie-off points on the bottom, and, as result, only tied the Modules off at the top.

The Modules in question are part of 36 Alpina Air Module and Air Fence sections owned by AMA Pro Racing. The AMA Pro Racing sections were deployed on Thursday night.

An additional 20 Alpina Modules deployed at Road Atlanta were rented from Dan Lance, whose Flag Services company now owns and operates Alpina’s U.S. rental service, and came with a deployment and maintenance crew. Those Modules were deployed Monday night, prior to the start of several days of track operations by the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School, and were secured both top and bottom at each end. In areas where the Alpina Modules were deployed in front of concrete walls, the Alpina crew drilled holes into the concrete and installed expanding nuts and eyebolts to secure the Modules.

The rental fee for the 20 Alpina Modules was split between the race promoter (Race Promotion Management), Road Atlanta and American Suzuki. The Roadracingworld.com Action Fund also offered to help fund the program and guaranteed that Alpina’s rental fee would be paid despite the absence of a signed contract at the time of deployment.

A relative of a racer also offered a donation after spreading a false rumor among racers and media representatives that there would be no Air Fence or Air Modules in use at Road Atlanta, and that the race promoters would be using haybales only. While the race promoters bought 2200 haybales to supplement the soft barriers, the AMA’s soft barriers were always going to be used.

Dan Lance of Flag Services/Alpina Safety Systems said that he received a check for the full amount of the rental fee from Mike Swaine of Road Atlanta on Tuesday prior to the race weekend, after completing installation of the Modules as per the agreement.

I’ve suggested that a simple installation instructions sheet, complete with diagrams showing the tie-off points and how to route ropes securing the sections, be produced and issued to everyone involved in installing soft barriers owned by AMA Pro Racing in the future.

Ultimately, the embankment outside turn three at Road Atlanta needs to be moved back far enough make room for adequate run-off room and a gravel trap, allowing them to slow down or stop before contacting any soft barriers.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning MotoGP Practice Times From Le Mans:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:36.524
2. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:36.902
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:37.237
4. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:37.296
5. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:37.441
6. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:37.558
7. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:37.597
8. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.600
9. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:37.711
10. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:37.771
11. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:37.799
12. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.869
13. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.019
14. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:38.035
15. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:38.184
16. Jean-Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.295
17. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:38.344
18. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:38.595
19. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:39.420
20. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:39.629

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Le Mans 250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 26 laps, 43:41.140
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, -0.252
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -6.431
4. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, -6.604
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, -11.527
6. Toni Elais, Aprilia, -13.157
7. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, -13.870
8. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, -20.077
9. Alex Debon, Aprilia, -28.557
10. David Checa, Aprilia, -28.684
11. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -28.892
12. Taro Sekiguchi, Yamaha, -35.148
13. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, -35.344
14. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -56.484
15. Jay Vincent, Honda, -56.894

22. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, -17 laps, DNF, crash
23. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -17 laps, DNF, crash
24. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, -22 laps, DNF, retired
25. Leon Haslam, Honda, -24 laps, DNF, retired

More from an Aprilia prass release:
Marco Melandri second. An all-Aprilia podium with Nieto first and De Puniet third.

The last two laps of the 250 were dominated by a hard-fought duel between Marco Melandri and Fonsi Nieto. Macio paved the way for the closing stages of the race as from the 12th lap when he overtook De Puniet and Locatelli, before going after Nieto who was getting ready to break away. Once he had made contact with the Spaniard, the two riders battled it out making one lap record after the other. A rapid cut and thrust which took them to the finishing line just two tenths apart. Nieto was victorious, and the first four places were all Aprilia.


Marco Melandri # 3 (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2nd – 43’41.392


“When I saw Nieto all set to move out ahead, I decided to go for it: I slipped past De Puniet and then Locatelli and headed out to catch the leader. I must say I had some difficulty in the last part of the track. This was a race I really didn’t want to lose, so on the penultimate lap I decided to draw up a strategy for the end of the race, and I found a place where I could get past Nieto. I wasn’t going to run the risk of making contact and waste a good result. Fonsi braked in the chicane, so I too had to touch the brakes while the bike was down. I lost ground and time: five metres which was hard to recoup, partly because I wasn’t so fast when I came out of the Dunlop.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Supersport Practice Lap Times:

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.469
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:27.691
3. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.117
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.144
5. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:28.208
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:28.371
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.489
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:29.134
9. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:29.366
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:29.878
11. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:30.043
12. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:30.225
13. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, 1:30.629
14. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:31.068
15. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, 1:31.235
16. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:31.468
17. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, 1:31.534
18. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki, 1:33.006
19. James Stroud, Suzuki, 1:34.032
20. Kevin Pate, Suzuki, 1:34.155

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

After riding in Sunday morning AMA Superbike practice, HMC Ducati’s Doug Chandler has decided that he will not race today at Road Atlanta.

“The bruises on his left foot aren’t allowing him to move around on the bike like he wants to,” said HMC Ducati Press Officer Wendy Hogg. “He doesn’t want to aggravate it further and wants to be ready for Pikes Peak.”

Hogg also said that, despite his bruises, a sprained thumb and a sprained ankle, Chandler was really happy that he hit inflatable soft barriers.

“I thought the Air Fence did a really good job. When I hit it, I just bounced off,” Hogg quoted Chandler as saying.

More, from a medical update released by Road Atlanta:

Doug Chandler will miss today’s Superbike race. He has a very bruised left hip, and a sprained left ankle ankle from his crash in Saturday’s qualifying. He missed yesterday’s race as well.

More. from a HMC Ducati press release:

HMC Ducati Rider Doug Chandler will not compete in today’s AMA Superbike race at Road Atlanta due to injuries sustained in a crash during yesterday’s final qualifying session. Despite considerable pain, Chandler rode in this morning’s warm-up session but was forced to retire early. His injuries, which include a dislocated right thumb, a bruised left foot and bruising to the left hip, are all relatively minor but are severely restricting his movement on the bike.

Chandler was running fourth fastest in the qualifying session when he high sided in turn three, coming down hard on his left side before tumbling into the air fence. X-rays at the local hospital showed no sign of bone damage but both rider and team feel it best not to aggravate the injuries and concentrate their attention on Colorado in two weeks.

“I was really happy with the bike’s set-up and handling in the qualifying session,” said Chandler. “We were on a new tire and I was trying to do a good lap. I got a good drive up the hill and got through the kink but I must have been carrying more speed than I normally would have, which is a shame because I already had it in the back of my mind not to mess with that corner, but I was already going through there too fast and the back let go. There’s no room for error [in turn three] and I’d already backed it off a notch, but it obviously wasn’t enough.

“Of all the points to hurt these are the worst ones. Your right hand is your throttle and brake. I can’t lift my leg on the shifter and it’s difficult to move around properly on the bike, so it’s best to leave it for this race and get ready for Colorado.”

From a press release issued by race promoters Formula Xtreme Promotions:

BAIRD AND CURTAIN SHARE XTREME SPOILS AT EASTERN CREEK

Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway provided race fans with some of the best action seen in this year’s series, which was evident by the number of class lap records that were broken.

One lap record that wasn’t broken was that of the premier Formula Xtreme class. That didn’t mean that the pace wasn’t there, quite the contrary actually as the battle for supremacy came down to a battle between the two major Yamaha teams competing in this years series, Radar’s Team Yamaha and Bio Magnetics Sport.

At the end of the day it was the Radar’s Team Yamaha pair of defending champion Robbie Baird and former three times champion Kevin Curtain who came away with two wins apiece from the four 8-lap Formula Xtreme races held.

Baird’s two wins and two second place finishes saw him take out the round win, plus an extended lead in the series points chase as he now totals 259. Curtain continues to hold second overall with 235 points courtesy of his two race wins which followed a fourth and fifth in the opening two races.

The pair were challenged all the way by the Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha YZF-R1 rider, Daniel and Jamie Stauffer. Daniel offered the strongest challenge and was in the thick of the action all day in what has been his best ride for the team this year. He finished the weekend with two seconds and two thirds.

Leading privateer riders on the day were: A Grade – Luke Phillips (RMS Performance Engines Honda CBR929RR); B Grade – Brendan McIntyre (Western Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R1000); C&D Grade – Glenn Warland (Yamaha YZF R1)


Buell NakedBikes/Streetfighter NK Lites
Arriving at Eastern Creek this weekend, Craig Trinder (Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha FZ1) was the only rider in the Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State series that remained unbeaten after two rounds of the series.

That run came to an end this weekend, when the veteran Queenslander was forced to share two wins apiece with the Gulf Western Oils Yamaha FZ1 of Lithgow’s Dave Butler.

The two emerged equal on points for the round after four closely fought races that had the pair split by just 0.051 of a second in race 3 and 0.064 of a second in race four. The two also swapped new lap records with Trinder setting the new mark with a 1:37.665.

Third overall on the day went to Michael Thomas (Wet4U Racing Kawasaki ZRX 1100) who scored three thirds and a fifth, while Leo Cash (Pirelli Yamaha FZ1) was fourth after scoring a third, two fourths and a sixth.

The Streetfighter NK Lites class saw Victorian rider Rob Hermans take the overall round win with four wins aboard his Buell Dealer Team Buell X1. The wins further extend his points lead in the category and he is a clear leader over Mick Matheson (Performance Streetbike Honda 600 Hornet).

Matheson continues to improve on the Honda and finished the day with two seconds, a third and a fourth. Third home was Sam Lucchetti aboard the Blacktown Harley & Buell X1.

FX PRO-TWINS
Defending champion Craig McMartin was again the man to beat as he debuted a brand new Ducati 998S and made full use of the new bike.

He dominated the round taking a clean sweep by taking pole position for the opening race, before taking to the track and grabbing four straight wins.

He is now in a commanding position in the class with 283 points, well clear of Peter Hinton (BEARs Racing Ducati 998S) and Mike Soderland (JSG Gowanloch Aprilia RSV)

Second overall today was Dave Butler aboard his BEAR’s Racing Ducati who finished the day with three seconds and a third.

Third overall went to Peter Hinton, making it a trifecta for the Ducati riders as they held off the advances of a horde of Aprilia’s Honda’s and Suzuki’s.

YAMAHA SUPERSPORT
The Yamaha Supersport races were four of the most hotly contested of the weekend, even though it was essentially between two riders.

The fierce battle was held between current points leader Kevin Curtain (Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF R6) and Jamie Stauffer (Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha YZF R6).

Starting from pole position, Stauffer was in a determined mood and was not keen to give Curtain a sniff of the race lead. He confirmed his speed by taking three race wins, with Curtain scoring just one. Stauffer was also credited with a new lap record (1:35.973), the day after Curtain set the new mark.

With three rounds now complete, Curtain holds a handy points lead with a
total of 259, with Jamie Stauffer second with 185. Third overall is Victorian Cameron Donald with a total of 140.


EXEL APRILIA CHALLENGE
Queensland veteran John Allen has become a regular in recent rounds of the EXEL Aprilia Challenge and was out to show the young up and coming riders of the sport the quick way around.

He was in great form aboard his Aluma Lite Racing Aprilia, winning the opening three races. He looked to be in a position to make it four from four but tangled with Dustin Goldsmith (GC Performance Aprilia) on the final lap and crashed after running off the circuit at Turn Four.

Goldsmith went on to take the race win and the overall win for the day after he finished second to Allen in each of the first three races.

Third overall was Cameron Dale who scored a second, two thirds and a fourth.

Goldsmith now takes the series points lead with 218, pushing Josh Forster to second with 198, with Allen moving to third with 168.


FORMULA OZ
Kawasaki Superbike rider Alistair Maxwell proved to be the man to beat in the Formula Oz class this weekend. The Albury rider took pole position during qualifying before taking to the track aboard his ZX-7R and taking three race victories from the four races.

John Allen chased hard all weekend aboard the Aluma Lite Racing Honda NSR500V GP bike, finishing the weekend a win and three seconds.

Maxwell holds the series lead ahead of Allen with 250GP rider Mark Stanley third after scoring three thirds and an eighth.


GULF WESTERN FORMULA X UNLIMITED
Michael Wright made it three consecutive race wins in the Gulf Western Formula X Unlimited aboard his Honda CBR929RR.

The race brings together the best C&D Grade riders of the weekend in an opportunity to show their skills without the distraction of having a host of quicker A&B grade riders in attendance.

Second in today’s race was Steve Vece aboard his Doin’ Bikes Honda CBR929RR, with James Spence third aboard his Circuit Breakers Yamaha YZF R1.

The next round of the 2002 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State will be held at Queensland Raceway on June 29 & 30.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree made a last-lap pass and beat Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson across the line to win the AMA Superstock race at Road Atlanta, with Mike Smith third on a near-stock bike he said his parents bought him.

The lead three broke away from a string of riders contesting fourth through 12th place, and Jason Disalvo worked his way up through the pack to secure fourth late in the race.

Provisional AMA Superstock Race Results (all Suzuki GSX-R750 mounted unless noted):
1. Lee Acree, 15 laps
2. Adam Fergusson, -0.0261 second
3. Mike Smith
4. Jason DiSalvo
5. Jimmy Moore
6. Rich Conicelli
7. Brian Livengood
8. Scott Harwell
9. Chris Caylor
10. Brian Parriott
11. Larry Pegram
12. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R
13. Vincent Haskovec
14. Craig Connell
15. Ty Howard
16. Chris Ulrich
17. Alan Schmidt
18. Christopher Rankin of Texas
19. Byron Barbour
20. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R
21. Andy Caldwell
22. Robert Jensen
23. John Dugan
24. Shane T. Clarke
25. Marco Martinez
26. Chris Rankin of Maryland
27. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i
28. Justin Blake
29. JJ Roetlin
30. Jake Holden
31. Jeff Bostrom
32. Scott Hermersmann
33. Giovanni Rojas
34. Jamie Thompson
35. Kevin Pate
36. Jeremy Haiduk
37. Leo Venega, Ducati 748
38. Michael Hannas, 12 laps
39. Jeff Muskopf, 9 laps
40. Michael Barnes, 8 laps, DNF, mechanical
41. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha YZF-R6, 5 laps, DNF


Provisional Point Standings
1. Lee Acree, 120 points
2. Tommy Hayden, 110
3. Brian Parriott, 98
4. Jimmy Moore, 92
5. Chris Ulrich, 86
6. Brian Livengood, 83
7. Vincent Haskovec, 81
8. Ty Howard, 75
9. Jason Disalvo, 74
10. Tony Meiring, 72
11. Rich Conicelli, 62
12. Jordan Szoke, 61
13. Craig Connell, 58
14. ALan Schmidt, 55
15. Larry Pegram, 47

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:37.348
2. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:37.355
3. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:37.424
4. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.513
5. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:37.687
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:37.752
7. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:37.939
8. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:38.018
9. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.239
10. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:38.266
11. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:38.294
12. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.354
13. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.396
14. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:38.475
15. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:38.638
16. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.849
17. Jean-Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:38.874
18. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:38.962
19. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:39.023
20. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:39.357